Las Vegas shooting: Trump calls attacker ‘very sick’ as police search for motive behind incident

US President Donald Trump calls shooting an ‘act of pure evil’

US President Donald Trump condemned the mass shooting in Las Vegas as an “act of pure evil”. He said the nation would unite behind the survivors, but however stayed away from a debate over gun control laws in the country. “Our unity cannot be shattered by evil, our bonds cannot be broken by violence,” Trump said. “We call upon the bonds that unite us: our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity.”

Las Vegas shooting: Students from University of Nevada Las Vegas hold a vigil Monday, in Las Vegas. A gunman on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino hotel rained automatic weapons fire down on the crowd of over 22,000 at an outdoor country music festival Sunday. (Source: AP)

The President also offered condolences to the families of victims. “We cannot fathom their pain. We cannot imagine their loss,” he said.

Among the victims were football coaches, school teachers, real estate agents and local business owners. They were parents, siblings, husbands, wives, neighbours and friends. As news of the carnage poured in, several families frantically scoured news for any information on the survivors. Many people have also started fundraising campaigns for the victims’ families, while many others have vowed to start scholarship funds.

Las Vegas shooting: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about Puerto Rico upon his return to the White House in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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The Investigations so far

Although the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities have ruled out the involvement of international terror organizations in the shooting. The suspected gunman Stephen Paddock wasn’t on law enforcement’s radar. The police believe that he acted alone.

Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told AP: “I can’t get into the mind of a psychopath at this point.” In his hotel room, Stephen Paddock had 23 guns, including rifles with scopes. Two US officials told AP that two guns were modified to make them fully automatic.

The Gunman’s profile

Las Vegas shooting: This undated photo provided by Eric Paddock shows his brother, Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock. Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, killing dozens and wounding hundreds. (Courtesy of Eric Paddock via AP)

Eric Paddock said his wealthy brother was a big spender at casinos and often received free meals and rooms there. He also described Stephen as quite different from other people. AP quoted Eric as saying: “He was a guy who had money. He went on cruises and gambled.” Also Read: Who is Stephen Paddock?

According to the authorities, Stephen Craig Paddock was living in Mesquite, Nevada, and authorities say he previously lived in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas, from 2004 to 2012, and possibly longer. His father, Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, was a notorious bank robber who wound up on the FBI’s most wanted list after escaping from prison in 1968.

Prayer vigils conducted

Various elected officials, religious leaders have gathered at numerous prayer vigils in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman reportedly spoke to mourners on Monday evening outside the downtown City Hall. Several faith leaders led the group in prayer. The crowd later joined in song and held candles. Several miles away at a cathedral off the Las Vegas Strip, mourners and casino workers gathered to honour the victims and first responders. The vigils were among a number of memorials being held around the city. Also Read: Las Vegas shooting rekindles debate on gun control laws in US

Las Vegas shooting: A woman cries while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at the Route 91 Harvest country festival on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Al Powers/Invsion/AP)

Country music singer Jason Aldean expresses condolences for victims

Headliner Jason Aldean took to Instagram to convey his condolence: “My heart aches for the victims and their families.” 64-year-old Stephen Paddock rained bullets down on the tens of thousands of people who were watching Aldean perform. Aldean pleaded people to stand together and “stop the hate.”

Las vegas shooting: The U.S. Capitol dome backdrops a column of American flags standing at half-staff as the sun rises on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, at the foot of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Hospitals overflow with victims 

Hospital emergency personnel rushed to deal with the aftermath of the attack. Doctors told AP that some of the gunshot wounds were so severe they knew they had come from high-powered weapons not usually seen on the street. Meanwhile, concert-goers explained scenes of horror and heroism. As per AP, a man had grasped the hand of a dying stranger to provide succour to him as he died. Several others carried the injured to the hospital in their own cars where they waited in lines of ambulances at emergency rooms. Also Read: Las Vegas Shooting: A day after the massacre, Vegas is not quite Vegas

Security tightened at hotels and resorts across the globe

After the attack, hotels and resorts tightened their security apparatus as hotel operators deployed armed guards, vehicle barricades, x-ray machines and several other security mechanisms to lessen risks. It’s worth noting that the recent major incident in Asia, at the Resorts World Manila casino in the Philippines, shared similarities with the Las Vegas attack.

In this case, the assailant was a man with a gambling addiction who got past hotel security with an ammunition vest and assault rifle. The arson left at least 37 dead. The attacker later killed himself.

(With inputs from AP)